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London hotel hammer attacks: Philip Spence guilty London hotel hammer attacks: Philip Spence guilty
(35 minutes later)
A man who beat three sisters with a claw hammer in a London hotel while their children slept alongside them has been found guilty of attempted murder.A man who beat three sisters with a claw hammer in a London hotel while their children slept alongside them has been found guilty of attempted murder.
Philip Spence, 32, bludgeoned the three tourists from the United Arab Emirates in the four-star Cumberland Hotel at Marble Arch on 6 April. Philip Spence, 32, bludgeoned the trio from the United Arab Emirates in the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, on 6 April, Southwark Crown Court heard.
One of his victims was hit with such force her skull split open. Spence had admitted the attack, but denied attempted murder.
One of his victims was hit with such force her skull split open. She was not expected to make a full recovery.
'Lost eye'
Ohoud Al-Najjar, 34, was repeatedly hit as her nine-year-old nephew hid under the sheets next to her in bed, the prosecutor Simon Mayo QC said.
She survived the attack, but despite undergoing emergency neurosurgery she was left with just 5% brain function, can no longer speak and lost one eye.
Her sisters Khulood, 36, and Fatima, 31, were also left with life threatening injuries and are still having medical treatment.
The family was visiting London on holiday.
Thomas Efremi, 57, from Islington, was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.Thomas Efremi, 57, from Islington, was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.
Spence, from Harlesden in north-west London, was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.
The judge told Spence he could face life in prison for the attacks.
Judge Anthony Leonard QC said: "You, Mr Spence, must realise that any sentence I impose is bound to be a very substantial sentence, subject to the report I receive."
The two men were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 17 November at Southwark Crown Court.